Comparison

Task Alarm vs PAUSED

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Task Alarm

This app helps you stay focused by setting timed intervals for work or study. It alarms you when you attempt to use your phone during these focus periods, encouraging uninterrupted productivity.

Highlights
  • Set timed focus intervals
  • Alarm to prevent phone use
  • Encourages uninterrupted work
  • Simple step-by-step setup
  • Lock device screen integration
Features
Read full description

You can use this app to alarm you not to use mobile phone when you're working or studying. Step: 1. Select a time interval you want to focus on working. 2. Put your phone on a horizontal desktop. 3. Tap the start button. 4. Lock your device screen directly. 5. Start and focus on your work or study.

About

PAUSED

This app helps users build healthier digital habits by limiting phone usage and blocking distracting applications. It offers various modes for focus, work, privacy, and saving money, with an achievement system for motivation. All data is stored locally for enhanced privacy and security.

Highlights
  • Focus/Sleep Mode
  • Self-Control Mode
  • Work Mode
  • Privacy Mode
  • Money-Saving Mode
  • Achievement System
  • Widgets
Features
Read full description

Doomscrolling until 2am... again? You said ""just five minutes."" That was 2 hours ago. One notification. One tap. And there goes your deep work session. Sleep? Not when there is one more video. The algorithm wins every single time. It's time to take your life back. PAUSED is your mindful companion designed to help you reclaim control of your time. With its minimalist Dopamine UI and intuitive features, building self-discipline has never been this rewarding. Why Choose PAUSED? 【Master your Screen time】 - Sleep Mode: The ultimate remedy for late-night scrolling. Set your bedtime and lock distracting apps to ensure a restful night. - Focus Mode: Designed for deep work and intense study sessions. Whitelist essential tools and block everything else to stay in the zone. - Interval Break Method: Combat mindless scrolling scientifically. Set a 30-minute browsing limit followed by a forced 10-minute break to reset your brain. - Work Mode: Restrict entertainment apps until you have completed your daily working goals. Turn your screen time into a reward. 【Privacy Lock and Anti-Addiction】 - Privacy Mode: Lend your phone without anxiety. Hide sensitive apps like banking or private galleries from both the home screen and App Library search. - In-App Purchase Lock: Prevent impulsive spending on games or subscriptions. Stay in control of your digital consumption. 【The Gentle Guardrail】 - Cooling-Off Period: When you are about to give up and hit Stop, PAUSED forces a cooling-off timer. This gives you a moment to rethink and resist the temptation. - Achievement Tracking: Every time you resist a distraction, it is recorded. Watch your 21-day self-discipline journey unfold with our companion, MOMO. 【System Integration and Aesthetics】 - Dopamine UI: A beautifully redesigned interface with smooth animations that make self-discipline feel like a treat, not a chore. - Full iOS Integration: Seamlessly supports Live Activities, Home Screen Widgets, and Lock Screen Widgets. Monitor your focus status at a glance. PAUSED is with you everywhere: - At the Library: Your study shield, keeping social media out of reach. - In Bed: Your sleep guardian, stopping revenge bedtime procrastination. - During Socializing: Your privacy vault, keeping your personal data for your eyes only. Our Privacy Commitment: - Your data, your device: All data is stored locally on your device. We never upload your usage habits to the cloud. Your secrets stay yours. You don't need to be perfectly disciplined. Just a little less screen time than yesterday is enough. PAUSED will be there — one step at a time, with MOMO by your side. Subscription Details PAUSED offers “PAUSED Pro” subscriptions: $2.99/week or $29.99/year (U.S. pricing) Subscriptions renew automatically unless canceled 24 hours before the end of the period. Payment is charged to your iTunes account. You can manage or cancel subscriptions in iTunes Account Settings. Terms of Use: https://docs.qq.com/doc/DYUdiWWRlRXFjV2pj Privacy Policy: https://docs.qq.com/doc/DYW90Tk9OVktCelNX

Screenshots

Task Alarm4 screens
PAUSED4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: PAUSED at none against Task Alarm's shown. PAUSED also leads on update cadence (fortnightly vs monthly) and ratings volume (68 vs 19). Task Alarm's advantage is review sentiment (85% vs 58%) and iOS requirement (10.0 vs 16.0). On price, rating, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Task Alarm sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and PAUSED sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.4 for Task Alarm against 4.5 for PAUSED. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 19 and 68 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 85% of Task Alarm's written reviews are positive against 58% of PAUSED's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Task Alarm ships an update monthly, PAUSED fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on November 2, 2026 and November 3, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Task Alarm versus PAUSED: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterTask AlarmPAUSED
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.4 (19 ratings)4.5 (68 ratings) — better
Positive reviews85.2% of reviews — better58.0% of reviews
Number of ratings1968 — better
Update frequencyMonthlyFortnightly — better
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFreemium
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS10.0 — better16.0
Further details — not scored
Size53 MB92 MB
Age rating4+4+
Developer广杰 周Sihoooo Network Technology Co Ltd

Customer experience

Task Alarm

All ratings19 ratings
Positive78.9%
Neutral10.5%
Negative10.5%
Written reviews27 reviews
Positive85.2%
Neutral3.7%
Negative11.1%

PAUSED

All ratings68 ratings
Positive86.8%
Neutral5.9%
Negative7.4%
Written reviews50 reviews
Positive58.0%
Neutral14.0%
Negative28.0%

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Task Alarm

One-time1
  • No Ad Version$0.99
3 purchases

PAUSED

Subscriptions2
  • QualityTime Pro (Weekly)$2.997 Days
  • QualityTime Pro (Annual)7 Days trial$29.991 Year
One-time1
  • QualityTime Forever$39.99

Questions

Is Task Alarm free?
Task Alarm is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is PAUSED free?
PAUSED is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Task Alarm or PAUSED?
PAUSED is rated higher. Task Alarm averages 4.4 out of 5 from 19 ratings, while PAUSED averages 4.5 from 68 ratings.
Do Task Alarm or PAUSED have ads?
Task Alarm shows ads; PAUSED does not.
Which is updated more often, Task Alarm or PAUSED?
Task Alarm ships an update monthly, and PAUSED fortnightly. Most recently, Task Alarm was updated on November 2, 2026 and PAUSED on November 3, 2026.

Other comparisons